Agni, Another Piece To The Puzzle

She sat with her back turned to him on a stone bench nearly overcome by ivy. Hearing footsteps, she turned. “ You use me abominably ill, Mirti. Where have You been? I have been waiting nearly an hour…. I thought that perhaps You fell ill..or..I did not know what to think. “ “I had questions for the Chief Sage..when I came to visit You as I always do on free days, You were deep into prayer. I did not wish to disturb You and went in pursuit of answers to my questions. I use You ill? No, Rose, don’t turn away, look at me. The day I should do so, a painful death would I rather descend upon me than having to live with the knowledge that I deeply injured You. “ Rosamond nodded. “Do You believe me?” “Of course, I would not doubt Your word” she said quietly.

“You’ve been weeping…has something happened?” “I am a little out of spirits, tis nothing. “ “Shall we take a turn about the Gardens ?” “Gladly” responded she taking the offered arm. “Your fervent prayer..I found it rather inspiring.” “Did You? I am glad of it.” Seeing that she was in no state to converse deeply, he maneuvered the conversation so that she could make answers and statements not requiring thought and sometimes reverted to silence. “Please, I beg You..distract me” said she suddenly. “Hmm…I know just the thing. Come with me” he said enigmatically and lead her towards the Menagerie though she knew it not.

“What is this building? I have not been here, yet..” asked Rosamond with a little more vigor in her voice. He smiled like a child delighted with the prospect of having a secret. “Please, tell me.” “As my Lady wishes…it’s the menagerie. I should very much like You to meet my horse.” If she thought that strange, she did not say so but followed him quietly. They passed sections with birds with exotic plumage, common farm and house animals, and many strange creatures that both had neither heard of nor seen before; then they reached the stables. The Menagerie was quite a building, very much like a maze that had to be maneuvered carefully in order to reach the proper destination. A beautiful chestnut stallion stood in the last box and that is where Mirti led Rosamond. The chestnut whinnied softly in greeting and stretched his neck to indicate that he wanted some petting. Mirti obliged and gazed into the horse’s eyes as if communicating with him. “Rose, he would like to introduce himself but he’s got a bit of a cough and does not want to use his voice. You’re going to have to touch his consciousness.” “How am I to do that?” asked she with a quizzical gaze. “Look into his eyes and consciously propel your mind towards his..it’s difficult to explain, just try.” “Alright” she said and attempted to concentrate on the task. For ten minutes straight she failed. Suddenly she felt an alien presence in her mind, like a wild symphony flowing. “I am Agni” it projected. She gasped. “ He projected his thoughts into my mind” she said turning to Mirti. “Yes, I know, he has just informed me. He says that if You find Yourself unable to project back, You may speak and he will understand You and project his thoughts to You.” “I shall do so.” “ I am Rosamond, Daughter of Evgard” she said politely to Agni. “Well met, Rosamond,Daughter of Evgard, Mirti has told me much about You.” “Has he?” she asked. “Yes…” Rosamond suddenly became shy and stepped closer to Mirti, who smiled. “You can pet him, You know..he wouldn’t bite You or anything of that manner.” She reached out shyly and began to stroke his mane. “I think You and I will become good friends” said the horse. “How do You know?” she asked. “ It is written, fair Lady. And by touching Your consciousness, I have found confirmation that You are a pure soul.”

“Ah” she said. “Rose, I must check something in the library, would You like to accompany me?” “ I’m afraid that I have tasks to look to and cannot. “ “Perhaps another time then..take care of Yourself” “Likewise. May the gods smile upon You.” “May Peace fill Your heart.” “ May the stars bring us together again”  They parted with those words.